Smashing Podcast Episode 10 With Trine Falbe And Martin Michael Frederiksen: What Is Ethical Design?

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Drew McLellan

2020-02-25T05:00:00+00:00 2020-02-25T05:10:01+00:00

In this episode of the Smashing Podcast, we’re talking about Ethical Design. What does it mean for a design to be ethical, and how do we make improvements in our own projects? I speak to Trine Falbe and Martin Michael Frederiksen to find out.

Show Notes

The Ethical Design Handbook
Trine Falbe’s website and Twitter
Martin Michael Frederiksen’s website and Twitter

Weekly Update

“What To Do If People Hate Your Brand Mascot,”
by Suzanne Scacca
“How To Make Cross-Browser Testing More Efficient With LambdaTest,”
by Suzanne Scacca
“How To Use The HTML Drag-And-Drop API In React,”
by Chidi Orji
“How To Design Mobile Apps For One-Hand Usage,”
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“How To Build A Simple Cryptocurrency Blockchain In Node.js,”
by Alfrick Opidi

Transcript

Drew McLellan: She is a human-centered UX strategist, designer and teacher who works at the intersection between people and business. She’s deeply passionate about ethical design and designing for children and she’s also a keynote speaker at conferences and a UX advisor in strategic projects. He is a serial entrepreneur born with a practical appreciation for the crossroads between business and digital development. He’s published the books cross channel and the CEO’s guide to IT Projects that cannot fail.

Drew: He works as an independent consultant for businesses that needed devil’s advocate when trying out new strategies and ideas. Together, they are two of the authors of the ethical design handbook, new from smashing this month. So we know their experts in the topic of ethical design, but did you know that also an amateur bobsled team? My smashing friends, please welcome Trine Falbe and Martin Michael Frederiksen. Hi Trine. Hi Martin. How are you?

Martin Michael Frederiksen: I’m smashing.

Trine Falbe: We’re smashing.

Drew: I wanted to talk to you today about the subject of ethical design, particularly in light of the new book you’ve written alongside Kim Anderson. So this isn’t the first book you’ve all written together, is it?

Trine: No, we actually have a project that’s three years old now. We published the book about white hat user experience. So that was our first book project together and that went so well that we decided to do another one.

Drew: So you’ve written about the topic of ethical design and this is a term that we’re hearing sort of more and more of lately is really rising up in the consciousness of designers, it seems to me at least. Why do you think that ethical design is becoming more relevant now?

Trine: We’re seeing a lot of tendencies in the world. We’re seeing a lot of lawsuits coming up. We’re seeing a lot of tendencies where people are starting to speak up against privacy issues and violations. So there are a lot of mega trends that are pointing towards a more ethical demand from the consumer side, so that’s just one of the things that we’re starting to see. It’s still pretty early on, still something that is slowly developing, but we definitely see some changes in the currents. So I think that that’s the reason why we’re starting to discuss ethical design at a much grander scale. There are also all sorts of issues related to lack of diversity, privacy in the sense of data being hacked and lacked. So we are starting to see an increase in general consumer awareness in this area, so obviously the industry needs to take that seriously and that’s what they’re slowly starting to do.

Martin: And it’s not without reason, I would say. There’s a famous photo of Mark Zuckerberg; it’s an official Facebook press photo and you can clearly see in that photo that he has put tape over the camera on his laptop. So he probably know that we are being under surveillance from social media and other platforms. He has definitely taken his precautions and the entire social media industry and the online advertising industry is listening on whatever we do, and the ethical design thinking is simply a pushback towards that.

Drew: Do you think that the rise in smartphones and the everyday use of digital products has an impact on this as well?

Martin: Of course it has. And I’m not thinking that marketing people or business people of today are more evil than 30 years ago. It’s just a different time, and the tools are different. But the scale of business, the number of days that you can aggregate using a digital technology is just huge and it just creates a new set of problems.

Drew: So getting back to basics, we talk about ethics. What do we really mean by ethics and how does that map to what we do in terms of design work?

Trine: So in the book we have a couple of definitions that are actually quite important. One is the definition of ethics, but the other one is the definition of ethical design because they’re not the same. So the definition of ethics we’ve brought down to something relating to duty and responsibility to treat others with fairness and respect. There are a couple of terms that are important, so responsibility and fairness and respect. And that’s something that we can tie over to design, to what we do in design because what we need to understand is that if we are to practice ethical design, we need to create products and services that grow from this principle, from ethics, the principle of fairness and fundamental respect.

Trine: But we also need to broaden that to understand that our business model and the way that we grow these products and services need to also be rooted in a fairness and respect towards, not just the people that are at the receiving end of our products, the customers, but also to the people that are involved with making these products. And that’s really what ethical design is about too; it’s about showing a fundamental fairness and respect towards everyone involved in a project or in a business running a product.

Drew: So sometimes it’s helpful to think of what the opposite of what ethical design is. Obviously there are lots of examples out there of unethical design and things that might perhaps emotionally manipulate users and customers. Have you seen lots of examples of that in your research?

Trine: Well, for sure, we’ve seen a lot more examples of unethical design than ethical design. That’s actually been a bit of a, not a pain but a struggle or at least a challenge when writing the book and researching for it. We’ve spent a year of doing this, is to find the good examples. It’s a lot… We’ve seen a lot more bad examples. Martin who brought up the Zuckerberg photo with the Mark Zuckerberg’s computer webcam being hidden or taped over is one. There are lots of examples, really big ones. Cambridge Analytica where with huge data breaches and, or data trade and potential manipulation of political results.

Trine: But we’re also seeing lots of products that just have all these really manipulative, dark patterns in their interfaces like booking.com, Viagogo, which is also they resell tickets to an increased price. So they have pretty much every manipulative pattern in the book that you can think of from trying to entice us to buy by saying all these other people are buying, we’re running out of stock, hurry up, hurry up. So all these different types of manipulative design patterns we’ve seen a whole bunch of.

Martin: But also, in a smaller scale, it’s also just sometimes it’s because there’s an evil business strategy, but most likely it’s just because no one really checked the customer journey. Like I was at a conference in New York, I booked a hotel and ever since they’ve been sending me emails. And, so the unsubscribe function on that email doesn’t work. You can send an email to the hotel, they don’t care or the one who received the email, it’s not her job or whatever. And a lot of what we see in dark patterns is just nobody cares or no one has the responsibility to do anything about it. And you shouldn’t confuse that because there’s the evil business model and then there’s the, we didn’t know how to do it right, and the latter is actually what we try to in the book is to explain how can you do this in a proper manner.

Martin: And of course you’re allowed to have a business model where you make a living out of your app or service or whatever you do. And one example is if you make a fitness app, you can have a paid version of the fitness app, you can have advertising, you can have a data brokering as the business model, but you could also just make it free. And then you could have a feature, limited free version that you can use to upsell one of the paid versions. And if I as a customer want to purchase that app, I may want to keep my data out of the cloud, so that could be an option in that fitness app that I pay a subscription fee and then all my fitness data is on my phone and only on my phone. And that would be one very simple example of having an ethical business model where you can actually make money from that fitness app, which is totally okay.

Drew: So it’s a lot more about putting the user first, which is something that we talk about in so many different areas of design, isn’t it? We talk about that in usability and in accessibility. And really that’s I guess the driving force behind good design, isn’t it? Is putting the user or the person who experiences that design first. I guess we see lots of examples of, I know when I’ve been, maybe purchasing tickets these sorts of things online and there’s sort of banners, nagging, say, 50 people are looking at this now, or sort of countdown timers that try and pressure you into making a quick decision without thinking things through. And those would be all examples of manipulating users, would you say?

Trine: Yeah, that’s a really classical tricks from the book; from manipulative design 101. And it’s, I mean, Martin and I just discussed this a lot because there is a business case for doing this, otherwise they wouldn’t be doing it. And we’re not really trying to convince the companies that deeply believe that this is okay, that this is fine, that let’s make our money like this. What we’re trying to do is empower the companies and teams and individuals who know that it might be a good idea to change directions to do something else because we know that there is a sound business in, and just it’s good business logic to do ethical design and it’s not like it’s something that just makes you feel better because that’s not… It’s a good argument, but it probably won’t convince the majority of CEOs that this will make you sleep better at night.

Trine: But you also have to understand that you don’t necessarily have to manipulate people into buying your product because that tends to backlash at you. You have to remember that treating people well means that they stay you’re loyal to your brand so you don’t get all this brand damage from manipulating people into buying a product that they don’t really need or want. You also have to be mindful of or respect the fact that a simple UI typically gives a better conversion rate. So when we declutter stuff, when we declutter an interface, it typically results in a better conversion because it’s simpler to perform an action. There’s not all the cognitive load that comes with a hugely cluttered interface like we see in a lot of poorly designed websites.

Trine: And then there’s obviously all the legislation that is appearing; not just in Europe but most recently in California as well. And this is also a tendency that we’re seeing. So that’s also something to look out for. And then, focusing your budget on creating good products and good customer service instead of always trying to handle backlash on social media is also a pretty compelling argument that you might want to look into. So it is a good business logic to do ethical design, it isn’t the opposite.

Drew: Would you say it comes down to short term versus longterm thinking? Because presumably these, the manipulations, the dark patterns, those sorts of things produce; they do produce business results in the short term. You can put something in place and see your conversion rate go up, but then perhaps over the long term, that damage to your brand starts having an effect.

Martin: I think that’s perfectly true. I think you have to look at the business that you do online as if you had a store on the main street in a medium sized city where you have to keep your reputation intact, and if you don’t treat your customers well, then longtime… If you don’t treat your customers well, longterm you run out of business because people, they would go to some other store or they will buy from online. So whatever you do online, you really have to think of that there’s a longterm effect. And also there’s a kind of a there’s a hidden cost in doing things that are complex or things that manipulate, and if you declutter, as Trine says, there will be a longterm saving. And that’s never calculated when you talk about business model. You always talk about how much money you can make.

Martin: You never talk about the cost of making that amount of money. And especially in business to business project, you see lots of, and I’m not the type of guy, I’m involved in these projects, so I’ve firsthand experience from this. You see salespeople, they have a very complex pricing structure, and that’s because 20 years ago, 30 years ago, they would meet with all the customers and they will make individual pricing for the customers because that was how you did business before digital. Now they implement that and you’ll see that every customer will have his own price or her own price for any item, and you will synchronize millions of products every night. And if you create a more segmented business strategy, simpler pricing, it’s easier for customers to compare your pricing against the competitors. And if customers today are aware or they assure that they are not being… That they’re not paying too much for their products, they… That the pricing is not an issue, and the great customer service is the advantage.

Drew: We mentioned briefly legislation a sure while ago. In Europe, we think of GDPR a lot lately. How does something like GDPR as a piece of legislation play into ethical design?

Trine: Well, it plays into ethical design in the sense that we’ve added an additional layer of reasons why ethical design is that is an increasingly good idea because now we are not just facing… Our companies are not just facing potential backlash, and as Martin mentioned, additional costs that are related to doing manipulative design in your interfaces, and in the way that you conduct your business. You also face huge fines that come with GDPR and the California recently a privacy law in California. So that’s one thing. I think another thing is also that there is a pretty expensive cost related to compliance; legislative compliance that’s would be reduced if you have proper data models, proper data structure instead of just collecting everything you can get your hands on, but if you just go ahead and connect the data that you actually need to run your business, you have a much greater success rate in being complied to the legislation because you know what you have and you only have exactly what you need and when you’re deleting the data and how you’re deleting it and how you’re storing it instead of just putting everything in a pile in your database because you can.

Martin: I don’t think there’ll be huge fines for the GDPR except for a few big companies that will be toasted in public to show that the EU is focusing on this. Well, I think there will be lawsuits that will follow data breaches. So instead of fearing the GDPR, police will come after you at any time if there’s a data leak or a problem in your team, then you may have a problem. But the much bigger problem is that a lot of consumers will actually follow your brand and they will monitor if you do anything wrong. And the damage you can get from cheating on your customers is much higher than whatever you have to pay to the EU. And one is simple example is that a lot of consumers just like myself, will sometimes use a unique email address to sign up for a product or service.

Martin: And if you later on get an advertisement or some kind of contact based on that unique email address, you know that the source, so even the GDPR police from the EU is not at your office to check what you are doing, consumers will be checking on you all the time. And that’s, I think that’s, I think it’s wonderful. I think that GDPR is wonderful for European businesses because as a consumer, I now have a weapon against the business. I can contact them and I can say, I want the data that you have stored on me. I want to see the files. What do you have? And I think that’s good protection for your identity.

Trine: Totally agree. And I also think that GDPR has really impart, even if the common consumer doesn’t know how to utilize GDPR directly, the fact that GDPR has been so widely discussed and has had so much media attention. Ever since it’s, before it came into effect, and even today, in the general media, what that does to the general consumer is that it empowers them to talk about and consider and worry about and become critical towards their own privacy. This is somethi

A Miraculous Floating Garden + Pool in Brisbane

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 03:00:18 +0000

A Miraculous Floating Garden + Pool in Brisbane

Gardens

Sasha Gattermayr

A low maintenance, native plant palette was the client brief. Photo – Christopher F. Jones.

Raw rock surface contrasts with smooth, new concrete in the car port. Photo – Christopher F. Jones.

A tropical wonderland. Photo – Christopher F. Jones.

The west-facing terrace provides views down the slope, across the swimming hole and into the National Park that disappears into Mount Coot-tha. Photo – Christopher F. Jones.

The house entrance is chiselled into the rock face. Photo – Christopher F. Jones.

Photo – Christopher F. Jones.

‘There’s a great transition from dark to semi-shade to full sun that is reflected in the plant palette when you transition from house undercroft into the rear garden.’ – Dan Young.

Photo – Christopher F. Jones.

Blankets of native greenery overhang the car port like a Bond villain’s lair. Photo – Christopher F. Jones.

The street view gives a glimpse of the lush, cascading greenery that bookends the residence. Photo – Christopher F. Jones.

For a brief that detailed a low maintenance, native terrain with a dedicated sunset viewing spot, architects Kieron Gait and landscape architect Dan Young really outdid themselves. What is essentially a utilitarian addition, bookending the front and back of this Brisbane residence, has provided an unconventional opportunity for creative landscaping.

A miraculous cloud of native vegetation hovers above the street-facing carport, itself a cavernous underbelly hewn from the preexisting rock bluff. Tropical greenery then spills over the terrace, veiling the concrete slab that buttresses the carport void, while the rock face underneath is left raw and exposed on one side, allowing the building to fuse organically with the natural elements.

The west-facing slope of the property is maximised to provide sunset views out over the pillows of wild foliage that blanket the surrounding garden, as well as the neighbouring Mount Coot-tha and D’Aguilar National Park. Like all good landscape architects, Dan lists the native topology as the most important consideration when cultivating inspiration. ‘We drew from these local landscapes [in the northwest] as reference for planting hierarchy,’ he recalls, as well as upcycling the excess stone leftover from the carport excavation.

These stones were used in the pool terrace to reference riverbed rocks, and give the illusion of a natural swimming hole. Moving fluidly from garden to pool as the site slopes westward, the dark coloured water pools against the corners of the rock wall and echoes the undulations of a natural gully, surrounded by natural toned boulder slabs.

Evolution is the nature of the landscape beast, Dan surmises. It allows for simultaneous reflection on the site’s original state, and then the way the landscape mutates as it is lived in – particularly in this design, that is intended to look wild and overgrown. The intention for this project was for a garden ‘that looks like it’s been there as long as the house has’ Dan explains. An outcome that will happen with time, if it hasn’t begun to already.

Pre-order the Fresh Edition 2020

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 02:07:00 +0000

PHOTOGRAPHY VILLA STYLING STUDIO / DESIGN BILINGA BEACH ABODE

Our new ‘Fresh’ edition is packed with beautiful bathrooms plus 10 top laundry design tips. Available for pre-order now and delivered early March (also out in newsagents early-mid March). Here’s a sneak look inside.

PHOTOGRAPHY THE PALM CO / BUILD ORTON BUILDING

PHOTOGRAPHY VILLA STYLING STUDIO / DESIGN BILINGA BEACH ABODE

PHOTOGRAPHY ANJIE BLAIR / INTERIOR DESIGN LYDIA MASKIELL

PHOTOGRAPHY ATELIER PHOTOGRAPHY / INTERIOR DESIGN + STYLING TIM NEVE

PHOTOGRAPHY VILLA STYLING STUDIO / DESIGN KRISTY SPENCER

CLICK TO BUY

Contemporary A-Frame Cabin With A Soaring Ceiling

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 00:43:33 +0000

Cabins are conquering the world! They are our statement that we wanna live freely, in wild nature and move everywhere we want anytime we want. That’s why modern architects and designers create more and more cabins to inspire you to escape outdoors, and this is one of them. This A-frame cabin is called Phoenix Rising and was designed by Todd Gordon Mather Architect and is located in the Lake Tahoe region, in California. It may not be your typical rustic mountain retreat but you can still definitely see a few key elements scattered around, such as the stone fireplace or the barn doors. Everything has a polished and modern look yet somehow the cabin retains a very warm and cozy character. The architects chose a contemporary design approach, giving the cabin a very clean and simple geometry. There are 1,700 square feet of living space in total and although the cabin has a relatively small footprint its interior is surprisingly airy and open. The 34 foot high ceiling and the huge windows definitely have a lot to do with that. Also, the design is not really as simple as the glazed facades would suggest and there’s actually a lot of diversity...

The post Contemporary A-Frame Cabin With A Soaring Ceiling appeared first on DigsDigs.

5 Ways That Love Improves Your Health

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 23:17:12 +0000

Here at Design.org, we love love as much as anyone—and maybe more. That’s because we believe that love is a vital tool when it comes to creating positive change in your life. Just check out our posts on love versus fear, what self-love is, and how to practice self-love to learn about the power love […]

The post 5 Ways That Love Improves Your Health appeared first on Design.org.

How to Communicate Your Feelings in a Strained Relationship

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 22:56:41 +0000

Communication in any relationship isn’t exactly easy. Two people with different opinions, different perspectives, and different ways of expressing themselves, trying to understand each other? It’s no wonder that many couples struggle to communicate effectively. (Honestly, you can’t help but wonder what a little communication could have done for Romeo and Juliet. Just sayin’.) Even […]

The post How to Communicate Your Feelings in a Strained Relationship appeared first on Design.org.

Did Bill Gates Buy a $644 Million Sustainable Superyacht?

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 22:00:20 +0000

People everywhere are fascinated by the lifestyles of the rich and famous, but it’s often difficult to decipher fact from fiction when it comes to reports regarding how they spend their wealth. A prime example is the recent slew of news outlets reporting a $644 million yacht purchase by billionaire Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates — followed almost immediately by reports disputing the same claim.

The flurry of print and online fodder came almost immediately after the story was leaked. Although it’s unclear who was the first to put it out, UK paper The Telegraph was early to announce that Gates had made a deal to purchase the yacht from Dutch company Sinot. Soon after that, every worthy (and questionably worthy) news source around did their part to get the story trending within hours.

The following day, however, the real story started surfacing, with Sinot adamantly denying any relationship with Gates or deal to sell him their “Aqua” superyacht. “Aqua” isn’t actually even a yacht yet, but rather an impressive design concept the company released at the most recent Monaco Yacht Show.

It’s not surprising nobody thought to question whether or not Gates actually commissioned the futuristic ride, considering his well-known (and arguably obscene) amount of wealth. Plus, Gates is also outspoken about his environmental passions, so a vessel like the Aqua would be a perfect fit for him. That’s because even though Aqua features all the luxury anyone could hope for, it’s true ‘coolness’ factor comes from the hydrogen fuel cell technology that powers it. Widely considered the greenest fuel option around, the superyacht would be powered for up to 3,750 nautical miles by liquid nitrogen stored in two tanks at -423 degrees Fahrenheit. The only by-product of the process is water, which can go directly back into the ocean without polluting it. And while the yacht could easily travel across the Atlantic, longer trips would require a back-up diesel engine to complete the route (mostly because there aren’t many dockside hydrogen refill stations just hanging around).

The design concept for Aqua is noteworthy for the hydrogen fuel alone, but considering the opulent touches, anyone who coughs up the estimated $644 million to own it likely wouldn’t even care what powered it.

The 370-foot Aqua really does look like something out of a sci-fi movie. Sinot explains that its exterior inspired by ocean swells, the movement of the tides, and weather out on the open seas. Its five decks are equipped to comfortably accommodate 14 guests and 31 crew members, though they also feature a gym, yoga studio, beauty room, massage parlor, and cascading infinity pool on the rear deck. Best of all, passengers can enjoy the ocean air on cool nights while keeping warm next to eco-friendly gel-fuelled fire bowls.

The goal, according to Sinot, is for the Aqua to show the potential for the future of the superyacht industry. So while the company continues to deny any contract with Bill Gates, they are encouraging other, similarly wealthy individuals to invest in the idea. Regardless of who ends up writing the check, the earliest estimated sail date wouldn’t be until sometime in 2024.

All images courtesy of Sinot.

Modern home cleverly slots into a void in the landscape

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 22:00:00 +0000

Ivo Tavares Studio

It’s surprisingly indoor-outdoor

Between bunker-esque residences and homes woven into the landscape, Portugal appears to be teeming with architecture that doubles as land art. Next up is Casa A, a sculptural house from Portuguese studio REM’A featuring dramatic angles and cutouts that will make you do a double take.

The two-story rectangular house slots into the void like a mismatched puzzle piece. The upper volume spans the cavity like a bridge, creating a series of angled openings that offer peeks into the indoor-outdoor lower level, including corner gardens lush with plants.

Outfitted in a simple palette of wood and concrete, the bright lower level features a spacious living and dining area that faces an equally expansive patio and pool. Meanwhile, the top level is decidedly opaque, drawing light from select cut outs, skylights, and a glass-fronted balcony set back behind one facade of the house.

Ivo Tavares Studio

Kia and Hyundai develop ICT connected Shift System

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 21:25:52 +0000

Kia Motors Corporation and Hyundai Motor Company have developed a connected Shit System capable of shift gear based on road and traffic conditions.

This Space-Saving Kitchen Solution Is So Much Better Than a Knife Block

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 21:15:00 +0000

And it's currently 30% off! READ MORE...

Top 9 Modern Window Design Ideas

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 20:48:17 +0000

Looking forward to renew your home’s windows? Check out these modern ideas to give it an up-to-date look. Read on! Windows can influence the feel ...

The post Top 9 Modern Window Design Ideas appeared first on Industry Standard Design.

4 Surprising Reasons People Love Not Having Laundry in Their Apartments

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 20:00:00 +0000

It's meet-cute time. READ MORE...

Macy’s 3-Day Sale Is the Perfect Place to Pick Up Home Essentials For Spring

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 20:00:00 +0000

Ralph Lauren pillows for $8? Yes, please! READ MORE...

Having a Dog Could Make Your Child a Better Reader, According to a Study

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 19:45:00 +0000

While you probably already know that owning a dog can teach children responsibility, it turns out that dogs can motivate kids to read for longer periods, too. READ MORE...

Extra Wide Office Chairs are Now a Thing in America

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 19:36:35 +0000

For years now in America, our cars, houses and people have been getting bigger. I'll let others debate why this is happening and what it means; I'm purely interested to learn that furniture designers have had to design some additional options for contract furniture, as waiting rooms are no longer one-size-fits-all:

Photo and caption by F.O.Mr.Lahey: "My doctor's office had a special chair for XL patients."

I looked into it, and it's a thing. Wayfair has a separate section for Big & Tall Guest & Reception Chairs.

Image credit: Wayfair

National Business Furniture's offerings let you specifically select for 275-pound, 400-pound and 500-pound capacities.

Image credit: National Business Furniture

Office Chair USA features a 750-pound-capacity model.

Image credit: Office Chair USA

And there are connected models that mix it up:

Image credit: National Business Furniture

If only this was an option for airlines in Economy class!

See Cars Floating Inside That Ship That Sank (And the Technique They'll Use to "Recover" Them)

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 19:36:35 +0000

Last year a car-carrying ship called Golden Ray capsized off the coast of Georgia, in the St. Simons Sound. All 24 crew members managed to escape, but the cars inside (a mixture of Kias and GM vehicles) did not. Yahoo News says there are nearly 4,000 vehicles on board.

The St. Simons Sound's Incident Reponse Unified Command managed to get a LIDAR rig (I'm guessing via submersible drone, but they haven't specified) into the hold of the ship. Using the laser, they were able to create 3D images of the interior, which is of course unlit. In these images of the 4th and 9th decks, we see cars peacefully floating.

In photos extracted from the Tweet above, you can see oil draining from the ship after the incident:

The Drive reports that a response team has since removed "over 320,000 gallons of fuel, oil, and water" (that last one has got me scratching my head) from the vessel. However, it occurs to me that the cars themselves also likely contain fluids; while I doubt they're shipped with full tanks of gas, I'd imagine they at least have oil in them, and I wonder how long until they start to leak.

I'm wondering because, some five months later, the ship is still sitting there in the water. And I think I know why: Who do you call in this situation, outside of a team of superheroes?

Actually, there is at least one company that has successfully raised a sunken car-carrying ship before. A few years ago we covered the story of Dutch company Smit International, which specializes in tricky ocean salvage work. When a 50,000-pound Norwegian freighter carrying 2,800 BMWs, Volvos and Saabs went down in the English Channel in 2002, no one knew how to get it out. Smit International figured out that you've got to saw the entire ship into slices, and pull them out one-by-one. And that's what they did!

A Volvo XC90 turned into an XC45

"Hello, Mr. Jones? This is Bill from Springfield BMW. I know you said you couldn't afford the 535, but a situation has come up and we may be able to get you into one for significantly less"

A pair of Dutch workers reflect on how awesome Dutch problem-solving is while lamenting that no one wants to learn their language

Click here to see more images and details of how they pulled this off.

A Visual History of Sneaker Design: "The Adidas Archive" Book Documents 350+ Pairs of Kicks

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 19:36:35 +0000

Here's something every aspiring footwear designer will want to have for reference: The Adidas Archive, a 644-page tome cataloging "the history of the adidas shoe, from its earliest beginnings until today" as seen through over 350 shoes.

The adidas story is one of groundbreaking designs, epic moments, and conceiving the all-around sports shoe, worn by the likes of Lionel Messi, Run DMC, and Madonna.

A mecca for sneaker fans, this book presents adidas's history through 357 pairs of shoes, including one-of-a-kind originals, vintage models, never-before-seen prototypes, and designs from Stella McCartney, Yohji Yamamoto, Parley for the Oceans, and more.

Strangely, publisher Taschen doesn't have a linkable page to the book on their website, but you can find and pre-order it if you scroll down through this link. Alternatively you can pre-order it on Amazon. The book will be released on March 20th.

A Watch Frozen in Time: Why CW&T is Removing Features from a Classic Digital Timepiece

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 19:36:35 +0000

Picture a digital watch. Not a smart watch or activity tracker—the most basic digital watch you can imagine. Chances are you're thinking of something that looks like the Casio F-91W, the ubiquitous black plastic LCD watch that's been on the market since 1989. Its simplicity, affordability (it costs about $10), and accuracy (twice that of a $30,000 Rolex) has made it a favorite with hardware hackers, artists, and—infamously—terrorists building bombs.

Now it's getting a radical makeover from CW&T, the Brooklyn-based design duo Che-Wei Wang and Taylor Levy. Their Solid State Watch, currently live on Kickstarter, uses the F-91W's inner workings as a starting point for a timepiece designed to make you think about your relationship with time.

Turning a generic product into a relic

"We extract the movement from the Casio and place it into a 3D-printed case. Then we pour resin into the case to permanently seal the movement," Wang explains. "The upside is it's completely waterproof, dust-proof, and user-error proof—the three great enemies of electronics."

Taylor Levy and Che-Wei Wang making a Solid State Watch in their workshop

This process of encasing the electronics also renders the buttons useless and makes it impossible to change the battery, meaning the watch can never be reset and, after 10 years, it will lose power and cease to tell time.

CW&T embrace these limitations. Levy says, "We believe it's important for designers to be upfront about the life cycle of any product, especially one that is electronic, since the technology is outside the scope of what most people understand. One of our studio mantras has always been that if someone buys something we make, to make sure they really feel like they own it. We do this by being as transparent as possible about how things are constructed and setting up expectations."

Wang says, "If you think about it, 10 years is a long time for any electronic device to run, let alone a product that has gone three decades without an update. So our first intuition was to highlight and celebrate this amazing capability." A decade of operation on a single battery cycle certainly is impressive compared to the phone in your pocket, which requires a daily charge and you'll probably replace after a couple of years thanks to planned obsolescence. But CW&T's point of reference for the Solid State Watch is less gadget shop and more natural history museum: "We think of this like an insect caught in amber. It's frozen in time, but because it can live in a totally sealed environment, it continues to work for another 10 years before it becomes a relic."

The Solid State Watch alongside some of CW&T's other creations

Little Ingots of Time

Time and how we experience it has been a focus of CW&T's work for years. Past projects of theirs include Time Since Launch, a single-use timer that counts for up to 2,738 years, and a series of "over-engineered" pens designed to last for generations. Wang says, "We use timekeeping like a painter uses canvas and paint. It's a medium and a framework to explore subjects that surround time such as technology, materials, fabrication, long thinking, precision, accuracy, and decay."

Making a watch was a natural evolution in their practice. But telling time in a straightforward way was never the goal.

Levy says, "Working with the F-91W movement felt a lot like working with raw material. It's almost as if these things are little ingots of timekeeping. I guess we have the engineers at Casio to thank for that."

Daily wearers of the Solid State Watch will have CW&T to thank for a more purposeful—if not always convenient—relationship with time.

"Right off the bat, you might be wondering how we deal with daylight savings time," Wang acknowledges. "Since you can't adjust the time, you can remember that it's DST and adjust the time in your head or... get two watches."

The Solid State Watch says that it's 11:11:31 (but is it really?)

And while this humble marvel of '80s engineering is remarkably accurate, it will inevitably drift over time. Wang explains, "You'll notice it's a few seconds ahead or behind, then a few minutes, then towards the end of its 10-year life, it might be off by half an hour. We want to celebrate that drift."

—Nick Yulman, Head of Design & Technology at Kickstarter

CW&T's Solid State Watch campaign is live on Kicsktarter until March 4, 2020 at 10:20 am EST

Light + Building fair postponed to September due to coronavirus

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 19:07:06 +0000

Frankfurt's Light + Building has become the latest design fair to be postponed over coronavirus fears, and will now take place in September instead of March.

The show, which describes itself as "the world’s leading trade fair for lighting and building-services technology," was due to take place in the German city from 8 to 13 March.

The announcement by organiser Messe Frankfurt follows the postponement of a string of design fairs in China and the coronavirus outbreak in Italy, which has jeopardised Milan's Salone del Mobile.

"In view of the increasing spread of the coronavirus in Europe and after intensive consultations, Messe Frankfurt has decided to postpone Light + Building," organisers said, blaming the new outbreak in Italy and the difficulty of screening overseas visitors.

"The unexpected appearance of [coronavirus strain] Covid-19 in Italy since last weekend demanded a new analysis of the situation in close cooperation with the public-health authorities of the City of Frankfurt," they said in a statement.

"A multi-stage health check on guests from China has been called for, the implementation of which would be extremely challenging for Messe Frankfurt."

"Additionally, more and more travel restrictions are being put into place thus making it difficult for both visitors and exhibitors to attend the fair." The event "will now be held in Frankfurt am Main between the middle and end of September 2020," they added.

The decision comes after a number of brands pulled out of the fair.

"Our colleagues and partners have been forced to cancel their flights for the Light + Building trade fair in Frankfurt and, given that many other stands have already pulled out, we have decided not to participate in the trade fair for the aforementioned reasons," said Italian lighting brand Fabbian last week.

Signify, formerly Phillips Lighting, decided to withdraw earlier today.

"Although we were looking forward to meeting our customers and presenting our newest innovations at Light + Building, we must contribute to helping to contain the issue," said Signify CEO Eric Rondolat. "The health, safety and wellbeing of our employees, customers and partners is and remains our number one priority."

The new strain of coronavirus, which first appeared in Wuhan, China in December last year, is increasingly disrupting international business and travel.

Yesterday the organisers of MIDO, the world's biggest eyewear event, announced it was postponing its 2020 event in Milan due to the virus. Earlier this month, Mobile World Congress in Barcelona was called off for the same reason.

Milan's Salone del Mobile is consulting with exhibitors and authorities about whether to go ahead with this year's event. An announcement is expected later this week.

The new coronavirus outbreak has so far killed 2,600 people, with more than 79,000 people in 36 countries infected.

Main image is courtesy of Messe Frankfurt.

The post Light + Building fair postponed to September due to coronavirus appeared first on Dezeen.

Ten Things Lauren Li Loved At Stockholm Design Week

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 19:00:45 +0000

Ten Things Lauren Li Loved At Stockholm Design Week

Interiors

Lauren Li

‘The Sculptor’s Residence’ by Menu + Dux. Photo – Monica Grue Steffensen.

I’ve just come back from the Stockholm Furniture and Lighting Fair at Stockholm Design Week – and BOY did it deliver!

Coinciding with Stockholm Design Week, the Furniture and Lighting Fair had just the right balance of practical and inspirational design pieces – things that I could use in projects for my clients right away, and some I’d love to take home myself! It was a treat to see so many fabulous items for the home that are really well suited to our Australian design aesthetic. There were plenty of gorgeous sofas, armchairs, tables, lamps, fabrics, rugs and even homewares from established brands, new brands with some high-quality student work in the mix.

The design of the stands alone was spectacular, and it’s wonderful to experience them in person. The environment that the brands create can be so powerful in a few meters square, evoking an atmosphere that stays with you, but can be difficult to capture in photographs. It’s about the feeling, and the experience pulls a huge following from around the world (I heard the Aussie accent everywhere I went!).

Here I’ve pulled out some of the brands, pieces and experiences that left me with that ‘Oh my god!’ feeling!

The Sculptor’s Residence by Norm Architects with Menu + Dux

A gorgeous selection of designs was curated by the team Copenhagen-based architecture and design studio Norm Architects, to create the eclectic living quarters of an imagined artist!

Located in the heart of Stockholm, four different rooms served as an exhibition space for designs from Menu and Dux, complemented by tactile sculptures by British object-maker Nicholas Shurey, functional ceramic objects by Sofia Tufvasson and Atelier Armand, limestone and marble podiums by Östersjösten and dolomite plaster plinths by St. Leo.

Although Dux is known here in Australia mainly for their (incredible) spring mattresses, they’ve been making furniture by renowned Swedish designers since the 1950s. It was a treat to see these stunning pieces upholstered in gorgeous fabrics and leathers alongside beautiful sculptures and objects set in a historic apartment. It had the casual elegance of a New York loft apartment, complete with sculptures, sketches on rolls of paper and paintbrushes, but without the mess!

Menu available from The Apartment.

The Supersoft Sofa by Fogia and Note Studio. Photo – Frida-My Sundqvist.

Lyra Chaise by Fogia. Photo – Frida-My Sundqvist.

Fogia

The Lyra Chaise by Fogia (the speckled + hardback chair here!) is something I wanted to take home straight away! This is a piece that you don’t see too often, an incredibly comfortable long armchair that doesn’t take up too much space and still looks gorgeous. It is made for relaxing for one, or perhaps two people. I’d love to snuggle up with my girls and read a book with them here! The canvas detail, soft curved shape, perfect proportions are designed by Andeas Engesvik for Fogia.

I also LOVED this sofa designed for Fogia by multidisciplinary design studio Note Studio. The Supersoft Sofa is exactly what it claims to be – seriously feels like sitting on a cloud! It looks so inviting and yet still has chic levels of sophistication.

Fogia available from Fred International.

The Canvas Chair designed by Børge Mogensen for Danish design house Fredericia. Photo – courtesy of Fredericia.

Fredericia

The design for the Canvas Chair by Danish design house Fredericia was uncovered from their archives. Designed by legendary Danish design master Børge Mogensen before his death in 1972, this wide canvas and wood chair is all function, no fuss, and totally timeless. An absolute classic that is still as relevant today as ever!

Fredericia available from Great Dane Furniture.

Left: Left: Charred vases designed by Gabriel Tan, made by João Lourenço, for Origin. Right: Ark vases designed by Norm Architects, made by João Monteiro, for Origin. Photo – courtesy of Origin.

Left: Charred vases designed by Gabriel Tan, made by João Lourenço, for Origin. Photo – courtesy of Origin.

ORIGIN at Asplund Store

Origin curates and produces contemporary objects by bringing designers and artisans together. Collaborating with a range of different designers across the globe, Origin aims to highlight the incredibly skilled artisans in Portugal by working alongside them to produce small capsule collections.

Featured at the Asplund Store (a Swedish design store) at the Fair, the latest collection I saw launched is entitled Southern Lights – featuring nine projects from nine new designers and 4 new craftsmen, introducing new materials like porcelain, sandcast aluminium, pig’s bristle and mouth-blown glass. Some absolutely beautiful design objects here, crafted with serious expertise and love!

Origin available at Great Dane.

New Works stand at Stockholm Furniture Lighting Fair. Photo – Brian Buchard. Styling – Lotta Agaton Interiors.

NEW WORKS

We’re fully feeling the trend for neutral colours with contrasting textures here at the Nordic designer New Works stand, brought to life by super stylist Lotta Agaton Interiors.

The innovative producers of sculptural objects, lighting and furniture did not disappoint with their intimate and inviting rooms that defied the traditional ‘trade fair’ aesthetic! Featuring some gorgeous pieces in a luxurious yet simple setting, New Works’ display of new additions and updated classics were super dreamy.

New Works available at District.

Fancy shower drains at Vieser! Photo – Paavo Lehtonen.

Vieser

I think it’s fair to say that I have never been so excited over a shower drain!

Finnish brand Vieser create shower drains that become a beautiful feature, rather than an eyesore. My favourite is the Vieser Dot which is a large slatted timber circle, which feels quite warm and soft to stand on, compared to tiles or stone.

Their stand was absolutely gorgeous, with large panels of Dekton for the floor and wall surfaces which gave it a totally seamless look, with no grout to worry about!

Ilse Crawford for Wastberg ‘Ilumina’ lamp. Photo – courtesy of Wastberg.

Ilse Crawford for Wastberg

Of course, almost everything designed by legendary British designer Ilse Crawford is destined to be a classic. This new lamp, Ilumina for Wastberg, is no exception. An update on the library lamp, it really could be used anywhere; a bedside lamp, entry, living room or office. It’s available in eggshell white and brushed aluminium, but it’s extra special in shiny copper that will patina beautifully over time.

Wastberg available at Eurolace.

Mobel stand at the Stockholm Furniture and Lighting Fair. Photo – courtesy of Mobel.

‘The Pair’ designed by Studio David Thulstrup for Mobel. Photo – courtesy of Mobel.

Mobel

It’s hard to separate just one piece from the stand I saw by Mobel – the whole story worked together so well.

The stand and its key pieces were designed by Copenhagen-based architecture and design practice Studio David Thulstrup, and reflected a bold edit of materials, fabrics and colours.

New side tables called ‘The Pair’ designed by Studio David Thulstrup comprised two overlapping si

Practical Tips to Make the Living Room Decor Your Own

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 19:00:42 +0000

Today we brought you some tips to set up your living room, after all, this room is the soul of the house, it is where you will receive your visits, spend time with the family, relax […]

The post Practical Tips to Make the Living Room Decor Your Own appeared first on Architecture Art Designs.

8 Things That'll Make Your Bedroom Look Better—Without Spending a Lot

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 19:00:00 +0000

You're going to want them all! READ MORE...

7 Things You Need for Your Mercury in Retrograde Survival Kit

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 19:00:00 +0000

Mercury will be retrograde THREE times this year. READ MORE...

Embracing Color of the Year: 20 Lovely Bathroom Vanities in Blue

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 18:03:01 +0000

It is the year of blue and that makes our life a whole lot easier indeed! Blue as a color does not really need any special ‘lift’ and homeowners are inherently happy to use it in various rooms and across styles all year long. It is a color that is ‘perennially in trend’ and having been proclaimed the hottest color of 2020, it is only natural that we share more inspirations that include blue to help out our readers. Today, we delve into the fabulous world of blue bathroom vanities; dashing additions that add color and charisma to the bathroom without going over the top. From the understated to the extravagant, the stylish bathroom vanity in blue comes in all forms and finishes.

Large Classic Blue vanity with quartz countertop steals the show in this modern white bathroom [From: Pike Properties]

Adding a trendy color to the existing bathroom does require some effort. Instead of redoing the tiles or trying to fit in an accent wall, a simple change in vanity can do the trick with ease. Even if you are not exactly a fan of the ‘classic blue’ hue, you can try out other variants of the color that are more to your liking and also accentuate the style of the space. Of course, the whole thing is a lot easier if you planning for a fresh bathroom. Step in and discover the most impressive bathrooms with blue vanities –

Time to Take in Bathroom Blues

Blue is the next best option after white when it comes to bathroom colors and the second most preferred option for vanities after wood. The bathroom vanity in blue is one that captures plenty of attention in the neutral colors-clad bathroom while repeating the color throughout the space adds to its visual appeal. The most shades here are grayish-blue at its trendy best and light blue with its unassuming appeal. The blue vanity allows you to play between styles like coastal, beach, shabby chic, modern and minimal without altering it dramatically. More than the hue itself, the material of the vanity, its handles and overall build help determine the style.

Grayish blue combined with white and gold accents in the contemporary bathroom [From: Shophouse]

Modern eclectic bathroom of Moscow apartment for those who adore radiant bright blue!

Nature-inspired wallpaper for the lovely and unique bathroom [From: Kukk Architecture & Design]

Spacious white contemporary bathroom with double blue vanities, integrated sound system and lovely automated lights [From: Springboard Automation]

Vanity in light blue with twin sinks offers plenty of storage space [From: Jeremy Colson Bathrooms]

You can now get a free typography crit from Jonathan Hoefler

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 17:30:37 +0000

Design Twitter for good.

Typeface designer Jonathan Hoefler, who founded the type foundry Hoefler & Co. and starred in an episode of the Netflix series Abstract: The Art of Design, is now offering up free typography advice. And all you have to do is DM him on Twitter.

Read Full Story

How our solo homes became cocoons

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 17:30:09 +0000

The idea of making a home into a place for others, as opposed to one’s self, is falling out of style

Lindsey, 27, considers herself a social person—when she’s on her phone. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, in a two-bedroom apartment in a sleepy complex popular with retirees and young professionals. There’s a community pool, an adjacent park, and narrow, sloping streets ringed by oak trees and ample parking. After her roommate moved out, she made the large master suite her bedroom and turned the second bedroom into an office/home gym/storage space. The living room is her least-used space; the couch is a hand-me-down from the frat house of a local college, and the TV is mostly for watching sports or noteworthy series, usually on the rare occasion she invites someone over. She spends most of her time in the kitchen or bedroom.

”I work at a job that requires all-day chatter, and coming home to my solitude is necessary,” Lindsey says, noting that her workplace has an open floorplan, and conversation between employees is so frequent the company has instituted quiet hours. On an average weekday, she returns home from the gym and cooks some variation of a chicken dish for herself while texting her boyfriend, who lives in another city, and managing group chats with friends that toggle between topics like The Bachelor and impeachment. She eats on her couch while scrolling through TikTok or Twitter while The Great British Bake Off plays in the background.

”I don’t usually speak out loud or in real life with anyone until weekends,” she says. “I don’t find it lonely. I come from a big family, and this is the first time I’ve ever lived alone or had a space to myself.”

The moment she fully reckoned with silence was after she got her driver’s license and found herself behind the wheel on her own for the first time.

“I realized there was no one to talk to but myself, and I think that was the first time I remember existing in a space fully alone,” she says. “It was super weird. But I liked it, and living alone is like that. I don’t have anyone in my space unless I want them there or unless they’re welcome. It’s just different, in a good way.”

Lindsey’s Monday to Friday evenings are spent in a socialized cocoon of her own design; she’s filtering in the entertainment and conversation she wants to feel engaged, while staying in her own home. As someone who lives alone, her space is designed to offer the most comfort to her and only her, and hosting is an afterthought—weekends are for nights out with friends. The concept of this type of cultivated cocoon has been around for almost three decades, but it’s increasingly focused on the individual, especially when technology means there’s no need to interact with actual humans to obtain food, entertainment, or friendship.

In the early ’80s, futurist and marketing consultant Faith Popcorn began to notice people were sleeping through their disco naps, or the moments of shut-eye they grabbed between finishing up a workday and hitting the town. They were leaving the office on Friday afternoon, getting home, and not coming back out. This wasn’t limited to one demographic. More people were staying in, surrounding themselves with creature comforts, and shunning public spaces. Popcorn’s marketing consultant firm, BrainReserve, described this “need to protect oneself from the harsh, unpredictable realities of the outside world” as “cocooning.”

They “named it and framed it” in 1981, Popcorn says, and in her 1991 book, The Popcorn Report, she broke down the trend into three initial sections: armored cocooning, or living in gated communities and having substantial home security; wandering cocooning, or seeking alone time in individual vehicles and solo transportation, just as Lindsey did; and socialized cocooning, or retreating to a private sphere while still interacting with family and friends.

After 9/11, Americans became warier of public spaces, and socialized cocooning became more popular, with people investing money in home theaters, including bulky, multi-shelf entertainment centers. Home kitchens became larger.

“Public life came to be seen as something to be tolerated and survived rather than as an essential source of pleasure and entertainment,” wrote Karen Christensen in 2003’s Encyclopedia of Community: From the Village to the Virtual World, Volume 1. The outside world was “messy and unpredictable.” The living room couch was a haven with Blockbuster rentals, microwave popcorn, and chosen companions.

“Cocooning is about insulation and avoidance, peace and protection, coziness and control—a sort of hyper-nesting,” Popcorn wrote in The Popcorn Report. People were “dreaming about the joys of turning in,” she says, and cocooning was “a state of mind—preservation.”

“I thought it would be a great cozy space—a space you could work in, play in,” she says. “But I didn’t know how quickly the seams of the cocoon would close.” Where “socialized cocooning” used to refer to the presence of other people in one’s home, now most socialization in the cocoon is virtual, especially for those who live alone.

I really value having a sanctuary to come home to and disconnect from everything else in a space that is completely mine.

In 2017, Pew Research Center analysis of the census found that 42 percent of Americans lived alone and 61 percent of Americans under the age of 35 lived alone (up from 39 percent and 56 percent in 2007). In 2019, there were an estimated 36.48 million single-person households, an increase of nearly 10 million from 1999. A January 2018 study from the University of Texas examined the change in time Americans spent at home between 2003 and 2012, and found that it amounted to a 14-day increase per year for Americans ages 18-24, or 70 percent more of an increase than the rest of the population. Another survey found that 28 percent of millennials ages 24 to 31 prefer drinking at home to going out, because the latter takes too much effort, while only 15 percent of baby boomers agree. Millennials are more likely to cook at home than Gen Xers or baby boomers, according to the Spoon, and they’re also more likely to order delivery.

Once millennials are home from work, they’re not likely to go back out—and they’re less likely to invite people in. Today’s socialized cocooning looks different than it did in the aughts, and it’s more common, even if people don’t realize they’re partaking. It’s FaceTiming a friend instead of inviting someone over, or watching a YouTube video while eating alone on the couch. If you’re living alone in 2019, it’s almost instinctive to find yourself in some type of socialized cocoon, and that’s changing how solo dwellers use their living spaces.

The idea of making a home into a place for others, as opposed to one’s self, is falling out of style.

One-bedroom apartments are increasingly pricey everywhere in the U.S. (the average monthly rents for one-bedrooms in San Francisco; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Boise, Idaho, are roughly $3,500, $1,200, and $1,100, which marks percentage increases of 58, 63, and 45 between 2011 and 2019). But those who live alone often prize doing so despite the cost, and see their homes as spaces for the individual first, and guests second.

Dustin McManus has lived alone for a year and a half in a studio in Oakland, California. This is his first solo apartment, and he savors his space after eight-plus hours in a bullpen-style office.

“At the end of the day, when I want to be alone or away from people, I want to have my own space,” he says. “I really value having a sanctuary to come home to and disconnect from everything else in a space that is completely mine.”

Vanessa da Costa lives alone in Pretoria, South Africa. Her living room is the most-used space—but only because she uses it for her side hustle, a remote career-development platform. It took her a year and a half to have a housewarming party, she says, which reflects her reluctance to host more than one guest at a time.

“Home is a place to be alone for me,” she says. Socialization for many is more frequent in designated public spaces like bars, restaurants, and gyms, and her house is for reprieve or work.

Once millennials are home from work, they’re not likely to go back out—and they’re less likely to invite people in.

Casey Hardin, a North Carolina-based interior designer for Decorist, sees more than a dozen clients per month from around the country. Most of her clients are couples or small families, but when she works with individuals, the most common priority is “function and form.”

“When I’m designing for someone living alone, it’s almost always focused on the living space and the bedroom,” she says. “There’s not a lot of focus on the kitchen and the dining room. It can go both ways, and a lot of people do want to be set up to entertain, but the main focus is on a living space for themselves.”

Traditional dining room tables or sideboards and buffets are often replaced by barstools and a bar cart, Hardin says. Fewer people are eating at kitchen tables, instead opting for non-traditional spots (33 percent on the couch and 17 percent in the bedroom, according to a survey), and dining room furniture sales are down, as is interest in the space (nearly a third of consumers say the dining room is the first room they could do without).

In the living room, Hardin finds sectionals are more popular than standard sofas, and clients are looking for convertible coffee tables, which work as dinner tables, workspaces, and storage.

Consumers are also looking for movable accent seating, Hardin says, or pieces that can be used to entertain and serve a purpose, like ottomans or poufs that stow items and double as extra seating.

The bedroom is often a priority, and a typical cotton comforter set from Target or Bed Bath & Beyond will no longer suffice. The luxury bedroom industry is burgeoning, beginning with the mattress. McKinsey predictions in 2018 put the sleep industry at between $30 billion and $40 billion annually; the mattress industry makes up roughly half of that figure, including the ubiquitous Casper or mattresses based on your so-called sleep DNA.

Enter the sheets. Popular picks include Brooklinen, Parachute, or Ettitude, which range from $85 for a single fitted sheet to $427.50 for a heathered cashmere bundle and comprise fabrics such as sateen, percale, and bamboo lyocell.

These products tend to garner the most interest from millennial consumers in one- or two-person living situations; Nearly 50 percent of Ettitude’s customers, for example, fall in the 25-to-44 age range. More than half of Ettitude customers are single, and are living as one adult in a household (followed closely by households with two adults).

Parachute’s core customer base is approximately 30 to 45 years old and “moving through different milestones in their lives and have arrived at a place where they’re investing more in their homes,” according to the company. Brooklinen’s customers are concentrated in the 26-to-45 age range, 30 percent live alone, and 20 percent are in a two-person household.

Top-end bedding adds an extra layer of luxury to one’s cocoon, and fits in with the growing emphasis on mental and physical health. Sleep is no longer a given human function, but a practice to be fine-tuned and outfitted with next-level amenities. For many, the bedroom is not only the most personal part of an apartment, but now the most important.

“With my design clients I definitely see a trend toward wellness”—physical, emotional, and social—“as well as the desire to connect with and use socially and environmentally focused brands,” says Jess Blumberg, from Dale Blumberg Interiors.

“Consumers are drawn to luxury bedding companies … the combination of luxuriousness, convenience, sustainability, and the contribution to a greater sense of well-being gives our clients comfort in more ways than one.”

When I spoke to Popcorn, I shared my vision of a socialized cocoon in 2020: a millennial wrapped in luxury sheets on a delivery memory-foam mattress, flipping between social media and group texts while a streaming service plays on a cable-less television. There’s an empty delivery box on a coffee table that is also a footrest, desk, and dinner table. If there’s space for a kitchen table, it’s mostly used for work, which never really stops. This individual may not have spoken to anyone but coworkers today, but they’re not necessarily alone: There is The Office theme song marking the passing of 22 minutes; iMessages from family; tentative happy-hour plans with equally busy friends; and a plethora of apps to keep them entertained, fed, connected, informed, and comforted. They may be the only human in their home, but they could be connected enough to stave off social isolation, a trend that’s now a public health crisis.

Popcorn, who has made her career by predicting future trends, pointed out that the living room will become more like a “life space” designed to fit its dweller. She predicts a rise in flexible furniture that involves built-in seating and beds that disappear into the floor or walls and are prebuilt into apartments.

The kitchen will become almost defunct because of delivery services. Faucets will offer choice beverages. Single-person apartments will be curated, filtered, and calibrated to their occupant. Home is a sanctuary, or a regenerative cocoon, Popcorn says. It is a safe, private space amid turbulent economic, political, and environmental times. But it’s frequently meant to serve the individual, and cut down human interaction.

“They don’t see it as isolation, because they’re connected,” Popcorn says. A lot of people go home for the weekend and that’s it; they’re tired, she adds, from the grind of everyday life or from the multiple jobs they juggle to afford rent.

“There’s almost no need to go anywhere,” Popcorn says. “Today’s cocoon, I call it a narcissistic environment. It’s still only for you.”

Jacqueline Kantor is a freelance journalist based in New Orleans. She’s written for The Washington Post, The New York Times Magazine, The Ringer, Vice, Jezebel, Pacific Standard, and elsewhere.

Concrete Sets the Tone for Industrial Lower East Side Apartment by Noha Hassan Designs

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 17:12:32 +0000

Creating a modern home for a millennial client that riffed on the edgy, youthful vibe of its Lower East Side locale was the goal for transforming this 708-square-foot apartment. The unit already had a concrete ceiling—an element that both client and interior designer, Noha Hassan-Smith of Noha Hassan Designs, loved—which quickly became the starting point for the home.

Giorgio Armani holds show behind closed doors due to Italian coronavirus outbreak

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 17:11:20 +0000

Italian fashion house Giorgio Armani has staged its women's Autumn/Winter 2020 show in Milan without an audience for public health reasons as the coronavirus outbreak hit Italy.

Giorgio Armani released a statement early on Sunday 23 February telling guests not to attend the show and instead announcing that it would be live-streamed on its website and Instagram and Facebook pages.

The statement said the decision was made in order to "support national efforts in safeguarding public health", and to protect the invited guests by stopping them attending "crowded spaces".

The decision was made amid rising concern over the coronavirus outbreak in Milan. The Salone del Mobile furniture fair, which is due to be held in April, is "consulting with stakeholders and the government" over its response to the outbreak.

The Giorgio Armani show was held inside an empty showroom on 23 February at 4:00pm CET, at the close of this year's Milan Fashion Week, which began on 18 February.

The show saw models walk around a raised rectangular runway surrounding a central display that used blue, moving lights to emulate ripples in a pool of water, populated with structures made to look like plants and petal-like forms suspended from the ceiling.

Giorgio Armani reinterpreted the grand costumes of literary heroes with a feminine focus for the show, incorporating epaulettes, small jackets with high buttoning and knickerbockers tucked into boots.

While the colour black permeated the collection, it was kept vibrant with additional shades of pink, lime green and blue, and beaded embellishments or feathers.

"The dialogue between the men's and women's wardrobe takes place in an atmosphere drenches with subdued romanticism," said Giorgio Armani.

At the end of the show, 12 Chinese models emerged onto the catwalk wearing archival pieces from Armani's couture Spring Privé collections from 2009 and 2019, which each took design cues from Chinese culture.

This was intended as "a message of love" for the country where the coronavirus outbreak began and the majority of infected people and deaths have been reported.

Giorgio Armani followed the models to close the event, gesturing thank you and waving to an audience that was not present.

Giorgio Armani was the only Italian fashion house to cancel its planned event amid the coronavirus outbreak. The National Chamber for Italian Fashion said in a statement that the rest of Milan's runway shows went ahead as planned on Sunday.

The last-minute move was made amid news that the virus had spread within Italy to infect more than 200 people. There have been seven deaths in the northern regions of Lombardy – of which Milan is the capital – and Veneto.

Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, has said schools will be closed from today onwards while the outbreak continues, as well as universities in both Lombardy and Veneto until early March.

In total, more than 79,000 people have been reported as infected in 36 countries by the current coronavirus outbreak. The global death toll now stands at over 2,600.

Images courtesy of Giorgio Armani.

The post Giorgio Armani holds show behind closed doors due to Italian coronavirus outbreak appeared first on Dezeen.

Want a workplace that feels like home? Hire an architect with residential expertise

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 17:00:00 +0000

Underwhelmed by the proposals of commercial workplace designers, video game studio Eidos approached a residential architect to design its new Montreal office.

This Restauranteur's Harlem Apartment Masters an Afro-Minimalist Aesthetic

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 17:00:00 +0000

Nigerian-born restauranteur, entrepreneur, and digital collage artist Folasade Adeoso and her fianc Noah Levine share this large, minimal Harlem apartment. READ MORE...

25 Stylish Ways To Mix And Match Bathroom Tiles

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 16:59:58 +0000

Using only one type of tile in your bathroom is weird, not to say impossible, and a mixed-up look will be much bolder and trendier. Sometimes we combine not just two types of tiles but three or more to accent these or those zones. But how to pair up your tiles with style, to achieve a cohesive look and make your bathroom chic and welcoming? When we start a bathroom redo, we usually have a tile on our minds, so take it as your must and look for a match for that. Rock not more than three different tiles to achieve a stylish look – too many different tiles won’t bring an elegant or timeless feel to the space unless going super quirky and colorful is your goal. Same Color, Different Tiles If you want to achieve a timeless bathroom design, this is the look for you. Floors and walls should be clad in the same color tile, yet different sizes and maybe different shapes are used on the walls to avoid a boring look and bring some interest to the space. Such design never goes out of style and it always works, whatever style of bathroom you are designing.

The post 25 Stylish Ways To Mix And Match Bathroom Tiles appeared first on Shelterness.

Top Public Colleges for Polymer/Plastics Engineering

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 16:54:24 +0000

To mark National Engineers Week, which runs this year from Feb. 20 to 26, we have compiled a list of the top U.S. colleges offering undergraduate plastics engineering programs. The list is based on the U.S. Department of Education's Scorecard and is supplemented by additional information from various sources.

As the plastics industry is painfully aware, there is a shortage of skilled talent coming into the workforce just as baby boomers are retiring. In a recent survey from the American Mold Builders Association, workforce development was named the biggest challenge by 93% of respondents. It’s a refrain we hear from all corners of the plastics processing industry and, indeed, the larger manufacturing sector. Many companies have taken matters into their own hands, partnering with local schools and offering robust internship programs. But they and educational establishments alike are wrestling with some ingrained perception issues.

First and foremost, the public at large continues to view manufacturing in a Dickensian light, when the reality of advanced manufacturing is anything but the dingy, dirty and sweaty workplace of the past. The advent of smart manufacturing, encompassing sensing technology, the industrial internet of things, virtual reality and artificial intelligence, has transformed the shop floor into something more akin to a video game. The good news is that Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, are getting the message. According to a survey conducted by Leading2Lean, young people today look more positively on manufacturing and are more inclined to consider it as a career than previous generations. To learn more about this, read “Will Generation Z Be the Salvation of U.S. Manufacturing?”

Another handicap that is specific to the plastics industry is the vilification of plastics among the general population. In a word, plastics technology is not cool, at best, and that can be a real hurdle when you are trying to interest young people in a career. As we have often stated in PlasticsToday, that viewpoint is myopic and doesn’t consider the considerable benefits that plastics technology brings to food preservation, medical innovation and light weighting in automobiles (enabling fuel economy), to name just three areas. Moreover, advances in bio-based materials and recycling technologies are making a significant dent in solving the plastic waste problem, and many of those initiatives are led by the plastics sector. As industry and educators continue to get that message out, we believe, in time, that the debate will become less emotional and more balanced.

When it comes to considering a career in plastics processing, it’s also worth noting that compensation can be quite competitive, a fact that is often neglected. The salary range provided by the Department of Education in the following statistics is overly broad. According to Glassdoor, the average national salary of a plastics engineer is just over $72K, with the average annual starting pay for recent grads at $61,789.

Sound good? Here are eight schools that can get you started on an exciting, fulfilling, and well-compensated career in the plastics industry.

Image: Prazis Images/Adobe Stock

Auburn University
Auburn, AL
23,391 undergrads
Graduation rate: 73%
Average annual cost: $23K
Salary after completing: $20K to 73K

Worth noting

The university’s Center for Polymers and Advanced Composites has well-equipped advanced polymer chemistry and testing laboratories. Students also benefit from a polymer manufacturing and coatings lab with single and twin screw extruders, and 3D printing capabilities. Composites manufacturing resources are in the works.

Image courtesy Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, Auburn University

Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus
University Park, PA
40,553 undergrads
Graduation rate: 86%
Average annual cost: $30K
Salary after completing: $18K to 84K

Worth noting

U.S. News & World Report ranked the school’s materials engineering program as 10th best in the nation.

Image courtesy Patrick Mansell/Penn State

Pennsylvania State University-Erie Behrend College
Erie, PA
4,283 undergrads
Graduation rate: 70%
Average annual cost: $24K
Salary after completing: $19K to 68K

Worth noting

The median earnings for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in polymer/plastics engineering from Penn State Behrend is $65K, according to the U.S. Department of Education. It is one of only four accredited plastics engineering technology programs in the United States. The plastics processing laboratory in the Jack Burke Research and Economic Development Center is the largest undergrad educational facility of its type, according to the university, housing millions of dollars’ worth of computers, materials, and processing equipment.

Image courtesy Penn State Behrend

University of Akron, Main Campus
Akron, OH
15,047 undergrads
Graduation rate: 45%
Average annual cost: $18K
Salary after completing: $22K to 68K

Worth noting

The university is located in a “polymer valley” in northeast Ohio. “It should be noted that Ohio is second in terms of state GNP for polymeric materials, and first in state GNP for the paint and coating industry,” writes Department Chair and professor of polymer engineering Mark Soucek, PhD, in his welcome message on the department web page. “We have a combination of core-coursework, usage of experimental equipment, access to industrial projects and short internships that continue to make our graduates highly sought after.”

Image of Goodyear Polymer Center at University of Akron courtesy Cards84664 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77904198

University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA
13,284 undergrads
Graduation rate: 56%
Average annual cost: $19K
Salary after completing: $26K to 71K

Worth noting

U Mass-Lowell is one of two schools—the other is University of Wisconsin-Stout—accredited by ABET for its plastics engineering program. ABET is a nonprofit, non-governmental agency that accredits programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology.

Image courtesy University of Massachusetts-Lowell

University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS
11,747 undergrads
Graduation rate: 54%
Average annual cost: $13K
Salary after completing: $21K to 55K

Worth noting

The bachelor of science program in polymer science and engineering is fully accredited by the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission. The School of Polymer Science and Engineering owns more tha $20 million worth of state-of-the-art research instrumentation.

Image courtesy University of Southern Mississippi

University of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonie, WI
7,955 undergrads
Graduation rate: 59%
Average annual cost: $16K
Salary after completing: $28K to 64K

Worth noting

It is one of two schools—the other is University of Massachusetts-Lowell—accredited by ABET for its plastics engineering program. ABET is a nonprofit, non-governmental agency that accredits programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology.

Image courtesy University of Wisconsin-Stout

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA
14,876 undergrads
Graduation rate: 74%
Average annual cost: $16K
Salary after completing: $20K to 69K

Worth noting

The plastics and composites engineering (PCE) program is accredited by ABET. PCE describes its program as being “primarily a manufacturing engineering curriculum focusing on plastic and composite manufacturing processes.” The school touts its well-equipped labs that ensure graduates are proficient with production-scale processing equipment, quality assurance strategies, and characterization techniques.

Image courtesy Western Washington University

Plastic Egg Cartons Crack the Reusable Packaging Market

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 16:05:46 +0000

Thinking “outside the carton” is how Pete and Gerry's Organic Eggs has proven itself an exceptional packaging innovator in introducing the industry’s first reusable egg carton.

How exceptional?
While it’s now counted among select major consumer packaged goods companies like Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, Nestlé and Unilever that have developed reusable packaging, Pete and Gerry’s offers a distinct difference: those brands operate within the relatively friendly and limited, closed-loop confines of TerraCycle’s revolutionary Loop system (Game-changing waste-free shopping platform introduced by TerraCycle at Davos, published January 2019).

The egg brand goes big and goes it alone in launching a test into retail, relying solely on its own know-how and select partners that include Hanover Co-op Food Stores in New Hampshire and Vermont where the pilot was launched in December.

A few key facts to know about what the refillable polypropylene carton brings to the table:

The average person in the U.S. eats approximately 279 eggs per year or about 23 cartons worth;
Projected over a lifetime, using a refill carton would save more than 1,800 cartons per person, according to the brand.

Reusable reasoning.

CEO Jesse Laflamme explains the game-changing reasoning behind the Monroe, NH, company's bold plans.

"While we are confident in the sustainability of our current carton, which is made from 100% recycled PET and has less environmental impact than the [expanded polystyrene] or molded pulp cartons used by conventional egg brands, we continue to challenge ourselves to find even better ways to improve our environmental stewardship,” he says. “Reusable cartons are a logical next step in our ongoing commitment to sustainability, moving consumer behavior from recycling to reuse a step up in the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle hierarchy. As many other major consumer packaged goods companies, we recognize that reuse is even better than recycling, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this growing movement to help reduce the impact of packaging on the planet.”

The reusable cartons are made of white-pigmented PP that can be washed at home and reused repeatedly. Laflamme declines to identify the carton supplier.

“While the program is still in the pilot phase, the cartons are designed to be extremely durable, and have been thus far,” Laflamme tells PlasticsToday. “The goal is for them to withstand trips to the grocery store for years to come! We hope to have more data around its longevity as the pilot continues.”

There’s also a reason why new cartons are white, rather than clear as with the single-use rPET carton.

“The white variation made the most sense for low-volume production,” Laflamme explains. “We’re excited to have the chance to explore other options when we begin scaling up.”

Next: Shopping bags, payback and plans

The idea was sparked by the trend in reusable shopping bags, Laflamme says. “With reusable shopping bags now the norm, we thought, why not do the same for our egg cartons?”

He discloses there were two major concerns, the first of which was transporting, protecting and presenting the loose eggs. The brand closely worked with the co-op to ensure the packaging meshed with their operations.

The other concern was convincing retailers to supply the space for the educational display that houses the reusable carton. However, buy-in was gained because “this was perceived as very exciting innovation in a category that has traditionally been starved for innovation,” he reports.

“We designed it so that it fits in the facing of a traditional egg carton,” Laflamme says, “and it is recycled by the stores after use. Eventually, we would like to make all aspects of this program reusable including the egg shipper.”

Payback after six refills.

While the reusable carton is the centerpiece of the program, the bulk display packaging plays an equally fundamental role. Made of recycled cardboard corrugate, it has a tearaway front panel that enables consumers to easily access the bulk eggs.

The loose eggs are sold at a discount, allowing the reusable carton currently priced at $2.99 apiece to pay for itself over time, further incentivizing shoppers to participate. “Consumers recoup the carton’s cost after six trips,” Laflamme points out.

When asked who their target consumer is, Laflamme responds, “Everyone! Eggs are one of the most widely consumed, affordable and nutrient-dense foods on the market. The more people we can convert to choosing reusable cartons to lessen our environmental impact, the better. Until then, we encourage consumers to recycle their cartons or participate in our carton Take Back Program.”

The brand is already positioned to convert mores consumers to refill cartons. After receiving strong, positive feedback already, the brand is hatching bigger plans, Laflamme says. “We plan to expand this program throughout 2020 to reach even more consumers and amplify the program's impact nationally with major retailers clamoring for this type of sustainable innovation."

Salone del Mobile "consulting with stakeholders and the government" amid coronavirus fears

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 16:05:14 +0000

The organisers of Milan's Salone del Mobile furniture fair are discussing how to respond to Italy's coronavirus outbreak, as fashion and eyewear events in the city were impacted by the virus.

A source told Dezeen that the fair, which is the world's biggest and most important furniture event, is "consulting with stakeholders and the government" and would make an announcement in the next few days.

The statement came amid rising concern over the impact of the virus on Italy's leading business city.

Eyewear fair and Armani show affected

Yesterday the organisers of MIDO, the world's biggest eyewear event, announced it was postponing its 2020 event in the city due to the virus.

The 50th edition of the fair was due to be held from 29 February to 2 March at Rho Fiera Milano, the same fairground that hosts Salone del Mobile.

"We took this decision out of respect for the current alarming situation and for our exhibitors and visitors," said MIDO president Giovanni Vitaloni. "As this health crisis is developing in Italy, we could not but choose to postpone MIDO's 2020 edition."

MIDO has yet to announce new dates.

Meanwhile, fashion designer Giorgio Armani presented his runway show to an empty room yesterday after advising guests to stay away. However, aside from this, Milan's fashion week went ahead as normal last week.

Trade body calls for Salone to postpone

Last week Italian trade body Confapi Matera called on the organisers the Salone del Mobile to postpone the event over coronavirus fears.

The trade body, which represents small and medium businesses in the Matera district of southern Italy, said it feared the fair risked being a "flop" for exhibitors including local furniture companies if it went ahead.

"Numerous cancellations are arriving in Milan, especially by the Chinese and Asians in general," said Confapi Matera president Massimo De Salvo and director Vito Gaudiano. "The risk of flop of the fair worries local entrepreneurs who will have to bear the costs of participation."

Held each April, the Salone del Mobile is considered the most important furniture trade fair in the world. The 2020 edition is due to be held from 21 to 26 April.

Last year the event welcomed over 380,000 visitors from over 181 countries. Of its 2,418 exhibitors, 34 per cent were from overseas.

Italy hit by coronavirus

Italy has seen Europe's worst outbreak of the new COVID-19 coronavirus strain, with 200 people testing positive and seven deaths across the northern Lombardy region, of which Milan is the capital, and the neighbouring Veneto province.

The Italian government has declared a state of emergency and quarantined a dozen northern Italian towns following the outbreak.

Milan mayor Beppe Sala announced yesterday that schools and universities in the city would close for a week while the authorities try to contain the outbreak. Milan's Duomo cathedral has been closed to the public in response, and the Venice Carnival ended two days early.

Design, architecture and tech events affected

The current coronavirus outbreak, which was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, has already impacted numerous design events in China. The Design Shanghai trade fair and the Festival of Design architecture conference were called off in January due to coronavirus fears.

Earlier this month Barcelona's Mobile World Congress, the world's biggest mobile phone show, was called off because of the virus.

Italian design brand Fabbian announced that it would not attend the Light + Building fair in Frankfurt next month, citing coronavirus fears.

However Light + Building organisers said that rumours that brands were pulling out of the fair were unfounded.

"As of now, cancellations amount to 24," a spokesperson told Dezeen. "None of those are related to health concerns. In fact this is a normal number within Light + Building’s two-year cycle and mostly has to do with reasons that concern individual exhibitors. All market leaders will be present."

Virus impacting global supply chains

The epidemic is causing global travel and supply chain disruptions. Factories around the country were ordered to close and many remain shut.

Design brands that manufacture products in China or rely on components from the country are bracing for disruption. Last week Apple announced it would miss revenue targets due to delays at Chinese suppliers, while UK lighting brand Tala said it expected to be impacted.

"The business has undertaken a critical analysis of our inventory and are pleased to let you know that we are currently in a strong stock position," the brand said. "However, we anticipate our faster-moving lines are likely to be affected in the next few weeks."

As well as imposing quarantine measures, Chinese officials have been using technology to help stop the spread of the virus. Robots and drones are being used to deliver supplies in closed-off areas and to spray disinfectant over streets in locked-down neighbourhoods.

The global coronavirus death toll now stands at over 2,600, with more than 79,000 people in 36 countries confirmed as infected.

The post Salone del Mobile "consulting with stakeholders and the government" amid coronavirus fears appeared first on Dezeen.

Boho-chic decor ideas to steal from an architect’s plant-filled home

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 16:00:00 +0000

From earthy woven planters to textured throw pillows

This week’s edition of House Calls takes us to Asheville, North Carolina, where architect Ross Smith and his wife Anna Welton created a contemporary home with ’70s flair.

The couple’s ever-growing collection of houseplants—many of which Welton purchased from greenhouse sales at Warren Wilson College, where she works as a program director—thrive in the home’s sunny atrium. The greenery, in fact, helped shape the verdant interior palette. “I had to balance my desire for a contemporary house and Anna’s desire for a plant-filled bohemian space,” Smith says.

Taking inspiration from the playful home, we sourced key products—or in a few cases, similar finds—from each room so you can bring the look into your own space.

Dining area

Living room

Bedroom

A contemporary Asheville home with serious ’70s vibes

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 16:00:00 +0000

Curves and plants soften a geometric space

Before the cladding went onto architect Ross Smith’s Asheville, North Carolina, home, it looked, he says, “like a big green wedge dropped from outer space.” The geometric structure needed the white pine boards on the exterior to soften the sharp angles. It also needed some round shapes, some circles and curves, to strike the right note. Hence the playful circular windows from Pella that bookend the dining nook and the entryway. “It’s almost like someone shot a bullet through the house,” Ross explains. “I think they add charm and softness to the exterior.”

This round, hobbit-esque window is inoperable, which is one of the many ways that Smith saved money during the build.

All of the house’s unusual architectural details, including the series of archways that open into a sunny atrium and the lofted space accessible via a built-in ladder, are the result of a series of negotiations that took place between Ross and his wife, Anna Welton. Before she began working as the director of Warren Wilson College’s international program, Welton spent several years living in Latin America, where she gained an appreciation for both tropical plants and architecture. “I had to balance my desire for a contemporary house and Anna’s desire for a plant-filled bohemian space,” he says.

While the couple has similar styles, they didn’t always want the exact same thing. Compromise was key, as was flexibility. Ross let each design decision influence the next. The angled roof inspired the circular windows, the windows inspired the arches, and so forth. Ross says the house is better for it. “It’s like when a lead singer of a band goes off to do a solo album,” he says. “It’s never as good as when they worked together.”

Smith used pine paneling on the exterior of the home, which he coated with LifeTime, a nontoxic treatment developed for log cabins that has the added benefit of giving inexpensive yellow pine panels the depth and color of cedar.

Ross Smith and Anna Welton struck a fine balance between contemporary and bohemian in their Ashville house. The southern yellow pine paneling warms up the interior, and the circular windows are a fun nod to vintage designs.

But it wasn’t always easy. At first, Ross resisted the idea of having an atrium for their ever-growing collection of potted houseplants, many of which Anna purchases from the Warren Wilson College greenhouse sales. “I didn’t know if we could have that in a compact house on a budget, so I had to really think about it,” says Ross. He didn’t want to have a room off the side of the house that would be devoted to plants—he wanted to create a multi-functional space that would get a lot of use. By locating the atrium at the core of the house, he created an area where he could place a lot of windows (set back from the street to ensure the couple’s privacy) as well as functional skylights. During the summer, they can open the skylights to vent the hot air from the structure. As the hot air rises, cooler air is pulled up through the basement, thus passively heating the central rooms of the home. “I wondered if that would function how I’d read it did,” he admits. “But it really does.”

While Ross calls their houseplant collection a “weird driving force” behind the design, there’s another less-weird force that came into play: money. The couple had limited funds to create their dream house, so Ross had to look for ways to save without cutting corners. To that end, he decided to install primarily inoperable windows, including the oversized portholes and several large squares. “Fixed windows are a fraction of the cost, so I whittled down the number of operable windows to the bare minimum,” he says. “We put in some for cross ventilation, which let us get big chunks of glazing at a reasonable price.” Other cost-saving measures included using a prefabricated foundation, white pine cladding that was treated to take on the look of cedar, and Ikea cabinet boxes in the kitchen that have been fitted with cabinet faces from Reform. “It’s a fully off-the-shelf kitchen system that looks totally custom,” says Ross.

In order to save on cabinetry, Ross Smith used Ikea boxes in his Ashville home, which he fitted with fronts from Reform. The circular pulls echo the curves of the nearby arches and give the space a jolt of ’70s influence. He chose a subway tile in bond stack for the backsplash because, as Smith explains, “The bond stack is a more contemporary look than a brick stack, which tends to have a farmhouse feel. It’s also easier and cheaper to install.”

The kitchen cabinets also pick up on the circle motif, which echoes throughout the entire house, in their recessed pulls. It’s a playful touch, like something you might see in a high-minded kindergarten. The green paint, the color of well-hydrated moss, is similarly youthful and vibrant. While Ross says he’d like to claim the verdant hue was inspired by Anna’s plant collection, he thinks he might have been influenced by consumer trends. “I recently read an article about green cabinets that said they’re going to be everywhere in the next decade,” he says. “I think our cabinets were influenced by the retinal burn of seeing so many pictures.”

“Anna really wanted to give a generous space to an interior plant atrium,” Smith says. “I always thought that was a cool idea, but I was struggling to do that in an affordable compact house.” He ended up placing the atrium at the heart of the house, and the double height (plus the overhead windows) helps to cool the home. The funky-yet-elegant arches are a nod to ’70s architecture, of which Smith is a longtime fan. The handmade clay brick herringbone tile is from Fireclay.

Green shows up throughout the house, like in the owners’ suite bathroom, which features green picket Reine Ceramic Field tile and a square window from Pella.

It doesn’t really matter how that seed got planted, because it works. All the little compromises and negotiations along the way led to the creation of a house that looks hip and personal at once. It has a ’70s vibe, which Ross says makes sense, given his respect for architects of the era. You can see the influence of the decade in the high ceilings, the wood paneling, the earth-toned tiles, and the recessed living room. While not quite a conversation pit, Ross says the step-down living room and kitchen feel “like one big conversation pit.” It’s something he’s been noticing more often. “Now, architects have been sinking the entire room rather than just one area,” he says.

The living room features two chartreuse button-shaped chairs (“Groovy Swivel Chairs”) from Pottery Barn Teen. The fireplace is a Rais Q Tee II.

The couple wanted a custom couch, but they couldn’t afford to have cushions made. One night, Welton went online and found floor cushions at Pottery Barn Teen. Smith had to redesign the built-in, but once it was done, it worked like a charm. “They even had a corner cushion,” he notes.

The sunken living room seemed to require low-slung couches, and while Ross and Anna wanted built-ins, they knew they couldn’t afford to have custom upholstery made. They scoured the internet, and eventually Anna found floor cushions from Pottery Barn Teen that they could use to create a sectional. “I had to change the design a bit so they would fit,” Ross says. Fortunately, the store even offered a corner-shaped cushion, which enabled the couple to complete the L-shaped seating arrangement. Ross used budget-friendly marine-grade birch plywood to build the platform, which runs along interior walls, facing the black Danish modern fireplace and a pair of funky chartreuse swivel chairs (and, of course, a few potted plants).

Then there was the perennial question of how to hide the television. Everyone wants a TV in the living room, but no one really wants to see it when it’s off. Here, too, Anna had the answer. She suggested adding a barn door-esque sliding panel. “You don’t want the television to be the center of everything,” Ross says. “And now it’s not.”

What No One Tells You About Living in a Rent-Controlled Building

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 16:00:00 +0000

According to people who do. READ MORE...

Røst Milan by Studio Vudafieri-Saverino Partners

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 15:59:02 +0000

Designing the essentiality: rural culinary tradition is the heart of the interior design project for Røst, a new restaurant in Milan: The Italian Studio Vudafieri-Saverino Partners plays with a new range of symbols to interpret the gastronomic research and enhance the relationship between guests and food. February 2020 | Røst is a brand new restaurant [...]

Behind the “tripartite” rebrand for a 1980s Cardiff club

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 15:32:37 +0000

Clwb Ifor Bach has been given a new identity by London-based design studio Nissen Richards.

The club, whose name translates to Ivor the Short Club in English, first opened in 1983 as a Welsh language social club.

Since then, it has become a music venue, attracting bands such as Stereophonics and Super Furry Animals. It is also a Welsh-language club and communication centre.

The site itself is due a revamp, after Cardiff Council agreed to buy a neighbouring plot to lease it to the venue. The new site, also designed by Nissen Richards, would create a two-venue building allowing for simultaneous performances.

While the interior and exterior design is still in pre-planning development, the focus is on creating a 500-capacity main space, a secondary 300-capacity venue and “more accessible bars”, according to Alex Sprogis, an associate architect at the studio. It would feature a “rough, industrial palette of polished concrete flooring, exposed brickwork and services”.

Towards the future and the “venue’s musical heart”

Dario Pianesi, a graphic designer at Nissen Richards, says the identity is a reference to the new “tri-partite” plan for the site. It reflects the “vertical, extruded re-telling of this new building configuration”.

The logomark, with its three vertical lines, is also a nod to sound bars in an effort to emphasise the “venue’s musical heart”.

This “triple dynamism” is reinforced by a combination of different weights of the primary typeface to “convey the idea of movement and music”. It’s been created in two versions, landscape and portrait.

The identity, which revolves around the colour orange, was also inspired by the “texture” of the building, PIanesi says. In particular the “surfaces of the building itself and the rough surface texture of brick”. He says: “We didn’t want it to feel too polished and we were inspired by the whole band and DIY flyer aesthetic.

“It was important for the client to bring a human element into the identity and to create a feeling of inclusivity that celebrates the joy of being part of a sub-culture. This will also help the client communicate that they’re an alternative venue, compared to the other big Cardiff music venues”.

A multi-purpose venue

There is a focus on multi-application. Also included in the brand update are templates for fifteen poster types, flyers, backdrops and entrance stamps. The website has also been redesigned, with designer and programmer Tom Merrell.

The typographic approach, which features a combination of different weights, is an attempt to “represent the variety of styles and nights that Clwb Ifor Bach has hosted since opening”, according to Pianesi.

The typeface, Champion HFT, also “becomes a celebration of the broad and rich musical history of the club, which encompasses all genres of music.”

The standardised font also helps to “unify” the different nights and the venue itself, which “wasn’t clear enough previously”, Pianesi says.

Real photography from nights at the club has been used in the new identity, which “helps create a bridge between the previous aesthetics of the club and the new identity, blending the old with the new”.

The new identity launches this month.

The post Behind the “tripartite” rebrand for a 1980s Cardiff club appeared first on Design Week.

Avocado Vs Nectar Mattress: Let’s Compare the Two!

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 15:32:21 +0000

If you’ve decided to purchase a new mattress, you may have difficulty deciding where to start. With the number of mattresses available on the market, it can be rather overwhelming. While you could take a look at each of the mattress brands and sift through the website, it can be a rather time-consuming process.

Instead, to get you started, we’re taking a look at best mattress brands that are popular with consumers, and delve deeper into each of their unique features. Here, we’ll take a look at the Nectar mattress along with the Avocado mattress. Some details that we’ll have a closer look at includes their construction, the firmness levels, along with their sleep trials and warranties.

The Avocado and Nectar mattress are quite different from each other, and you’ll need to take a closer look at their specifications to see which one would suit you better. If you need a mattress that provides better support and is made with eco-friendly materials, the Avocado mattress may be the way to go. On the other hand, the Nectar mattress is an affordable memory foam mattress that’ll keep you feeling cool at night with its unique features. Keep reading as we take a closer look at the makeup of each of these popular mattresses.

Avocado Mattress Vs Nectar Mattress Comparison

	Avocado Mattress	Nectar Sleep Mattress
Sleep Trial:	One year	One year
Warranty:	25 years limited	Lifetime warranty
Free Shipping	Yes	Yes
Firmness Level:	6 out of 10	6 out of 10
	Check price	Check price

Under the Microscope

When comparing the attributes between that of the Avocado mattress and the Nectar mattress, they both come with their own amazing sets of attributes. The Nectar mattress is a fantastic choice for individuals that want an affordable mattress that’s made with memory foam. The price is definitely a huge factor as it’s hard to find a memory foam mattress that’s priced as well as Nectar’s. The thick layers of memory foam will also provide you with fantastic pressure relief and contouring. While it is a little firmer than most memory foam mattresses, it isn’t overly foam and will still provide you with the support that you need.

With the Avocado mattress, it’s great for those that are eco-conscious. All of the materials used in the construction of the Avocado mattress are sustainable and environmentally-friendly. Organic wool and natural latex is used in the mattress, and it provides fantastic support. Overall, the mattress is a medium firmness level, and isn’t overly expensive for the organic materials that it’s crafted with.

Both of these mattresses also come with really good sleep trial time periods, and they also have their own warranty policies. Having a longer sleep trial period is always helpful as it’ll give you ample time to decide on whether or not the mattress suits your needs. Both mattresses also come with fantastic credentials and are able to cater to different individuals. The Avocado mattress for example is firm enough to cater to sleepers that may be on the heavier side while the Nectar mattress has various features that’s great for sleepers that tend to feel warmer at night.

To help, you may want to take a look at customer reviews to see what other people’s experiences are. After all, there’s nothing wrong with taking a look at other people’s experience to get a better idea of whether or not these mattresses adequately catered to their needs.

Why Does the Perfect Mattress Matter?

We need to have restful sleep in order to go about tackling our day. In this technological age, we’re constantly on the go and on the move. Since we’re exposed to our digital devices we’re able to check our emails, social media and messages right before bed and when we wake up. Since our brains and bodies are always on the go, it can be difficult to sometimes get good quality undisturbed sleep. While it’s always good to keep our digital devices in check, the perfect mattress will help you wake up feeling refreshed.

No two individuals are the same however, and while one may prefer a softer mattress, the other may prefer a mattress that’s firmer. Nowadays, there are plenty of mattresses on the market that cater to different needs from individuals that need a little more support in their back, to those that need a mattress that keeps them from feeling too hot at night. Hence, there’s no perfect mattress as it really depends on what you believe would suit your sleep needs best.

If you need a memory foam mattress for example, the Nectar mattress may be more suited for you. The Tencel material will also keep you cool at night. The Avocado mattress on the other hand, is an eco-friendly mattress that’s a latex hybrid. Either than providing incredible support, it’s also targeted support for areas of the body that may need it more. It also has great edge support and has pretty good motion transfer.

Now that we’ve got a basic idea of both mattresses, let’s take a closer look at the details of each.

Avocado Green Mattress

Cost

In comparison to the Nectar mattress, the Avocado mattress is more expensive. While a twin mattress costs about $959, a California King is priced at $1,699. A queen-sized mattress will also set you back at about $1,399.

$150 off

Avocado Mattress

The Avocado Green Mattresses are best for side or stomach sleepers. The coils that target five different ergodic zones are also good for back sleepers.

View Deal

Sizes

There are various sizes depending on what you require. From a twin to a California King, the Avocado brand has a variety of sizes to suit your needs.

Size	Dimensions	Weight	Price
Twin	75" x 38" x 11"	59 lbs	Check price
Twin XL	80" x 38" x 11"	63 lb	Check price
Full	75" x 54" x 11"	82 lbs	Check price
Queen	80" x 60" x 11"	97 lbs	Check price
King	80" x 76" x 11"	123 lbs	Check price
California King	84" x 72" x 11"	122 lbs	Check price

Construction

The Avocado mattress comes with a variety of different layers to provide you with supreme comfort. First, you have a 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton cover that’s also been hand tufted. It’s also completely free of any chemicals, glue or fire retardants. Thereafter, you have a comfort layer that’s constructed with organic wool. Since this is a material that’s completely natural, the wool will wick away moisture while keeping your body nice and cool.

Thereafter there’s a support layer that’s constructed with a firmer latex material followed by inner springs for an added bounce. Within this layer there are also various gauges to provide support to certain zones. Hence, it may be firmer in some areas such as the lower back region, and softer in other areas.

While the mattress doesn’t come with a whole lot of layers, it’s essentially a latex hybrid mattress. If you’re looking for something that’s a little plusher can purchase a two-inch latex pillow-top for that softer feel and more of a sink in feeling.

Shipping

All Avocado mattresses are shipped from the United States and will arrive to your place of residence in the US within three to five business days. You would however, need to opt for in-home setup and delivery service if you require additional assistance. Do note however, that the in-home setup and delivery services may not be applicable to the Hawaii and Alaska areas.

Where It’s Made

The Avocado mattress is handmade in California, and was designed in Hoboken. The Avocado company even has their own factory for the mattress and all of the materials used are natural, non-toxic, and organic certified. The mattress is also environmentally-friendly and uses ethical, sustainable, and environmentally-conscious practices.

Special Features

One of the standout features of the Avocado mattress is that it’s eco-friendly, and handcrafted. While the mattress isn’t exactly cheap, it’s considerably inexpensive for the organic materials that’s used to build this mattress. All the materials are sourced from co-owned farmer’s collectives and are both natural and organic. It’s extremely green and sustainable and has been awarded multiple certifications for being so eco-friendly.

The Avocado mattress also provides great support due to the coils that help to target certain areas of your body. Hence, you’ll receive more support in certain areas and less support in other areas.

Firmness Level

The Avocado mattress is a relatively firm mattress and sits at about a seven on the firmness scale. If you add on the pillow-top, the firmness would fall slightly to a six. Latex is also a bouncier material, and hence it will be firmer in comparison to other mattresses.

Maintenance

It’s not difficult to care for your Avocado mattress. Similar to the Nectar mattress, you can spot clean it with some warm water and detergent. However, if you’re keen, the Avocado company also produces some fantastic mattress protectors. There’s one that is not only waterproof, it’s also made with organic certified cotton. If that’s not for you, there’s also another organic cotton mattress pad protector that absorbs liquids and is able to fit any Avocado mattress.

Sleep Trial

The Avocado mattress also comes with a one-year sleep trial. Hence, you’ll have a whole year to decide if this mattress suits your needs. This is more than enough time for you to test out the mattress and figure out if it provides you with the support and restful sleep that you require.

$150 off

Avocado Mattress

The Avocado Green Mattresses are best for side or stomach sleepers. The coils that target five different ergodic zones are also good for back sleepers.

View Deal

Warranty

All in all, the Avocado mattress comes with a 25-year limited warranty. What this means, is that while the warranty can cover some defects, it doesn’t cover all defects. If you’d like to get more information on the warranty, you’re welcome to take a look at the Avocado website. It’s also important to note that there’s full warranty for 10 years. Thereafter however, there will be limited coverage when it comes to the warranty.

Related: Our 2020 Avocado Green Mattress Review: Experience the Best

Nectar Sleep Mattress

In a real estate world packed with gray lookalike homes, it can be hard to find something truly unique. But this one-bedroom, two-bath retreat in Joshua Tree, California, fits the bill. Set on 220 acres, Mojave Rock Ranch began life as a 1950s homestead before being transformed into a rustic getaway.

Created by professional landscapers, the modestly sized, 826-square-foot stone and timber home is all about the outdoors. Natural boulder outcroppings and cactus sit adjacent to a botanical garden with 360-degree views. The hand-built house features large stones, jewels set into the walls, and expansive windows that showcase the desert outside. There’s only one master bedroom, but the main house’s living room features another bed tucked into an alcove.

An outdoor living room with a covered patio provides respite from the heat, and the house also comes with a wine cellar, city water service, and a saltwater pool and pool house. Throw in other amenities like the helicopter pad, onsite museum, and sanctuary and you have a unique listing prepped for yoga or meditation retreats. Interested? 2015 Sunfair Road was previously listed in 2017 for $4,500,000, and is now the market for $2,675,000.

The entrance to the home features an airy, church-like foyer.

Jewels and glass are set into the interior walls.

The indoor living room has a sleeping alcove, stone walls, and views out to the desert.

The master bedroom features its own sitting area and access to a patio.

The outdoor living room features a covered patio and plenty of space for seating.

The property has a pool house and saltwater pool.

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Avocado Vs Nectar Mattress: Let’s Compare the Two!

Under the Microscope

Why Does the Perfect Mattress Matter?

Avocado Green Mattress

Cost

Sizes

Construction

Shipping

Special Features

Firmness Level

Sleep Trial

Nectar Sleep Mattress

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The Restoration and Reconstruction of the Red Castle by Atelier 38